Coughlin returns to New York

Friday

Sep 7, 2018 at 9:44 PMSep 7, 2018 at 9:44 PM

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The old and new will be crossing paths at MetLife Stadium when the Jacksonville Jaguars open the season against the New York Giants.

The game will be the first for Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin against the Giants, the team he led to two Super Bowl titles before resigning in January 2016 after a dozen seasons as coach.

It also will be Pat Shurmur's first regular-season NFL game as coach of the Giants, a team that has made the playoffs once (2016) since winning the Super Bowl in February 2012.

"Those who are around know the history," said Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie, who was a member of both Super Bowl teams. "We know Coughlin will have them fired up. It is the first game and everyone wants to get off on the right foot. I can't say it will be an extra motivator, but it's something we are aware of, and it doesn't chance our approach."

The Giants are just looking to play a lot better than last season. They went 3-13 and saw coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese get fired in early December.

Shurmur and new general manager Dave Gettleman have turned around much of the roster and they will get their first true peek at the new product this weekend in a very tough matchup.

The Jaguars (12-7) blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead against the New England Patriots in the AFC title game in January. A trip to the Super Bowl was within their grasp.

"I think we've taking a good approach as a team, and as a group in the locker room of everybody that was a part of what happened last year so badly wants to get back to that AFC championship game and change that outcome," quarterback Blake Bortles said.

Bortles said the Jaguars aren't taking anything for granted.

"We've got to take every day, every week, every meeting of preparation as seriously as possible, and the rest will take care of itself and we'll end up back there again," he said.

Coughlin did not talk to the media in Jacksonville this week, but coach Doug Marrone said Coughlin has not changed his approach with the return to New York.

"We know we've got a tough road ahead of us and we know we've got a tough game on the road opening day up in New York," Marrone said. "They'll be fired up and ready to go."

Ramsey practices without limitation

Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey practiced without any limitation Friday, clearing the way for him to play against Giants star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the season opener.

Ramsey was limited in practice Thursday because of right ankle soreness.

Coach Doug Marrone said tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (core muscle), center Brandon Linder (knee) and right tackle Jermey Parnell (knee) also are good to go against the Giants. Seferian-Jenkins sat out practice Wednesday.

So Jacksonville will go into the opener with only one significant injury: receiver Marqise Lee is out for the season after injuring his left knee in an exhibition game. Lee has surgery last week.

Giants' Vernon out

The will be without their best pass rusher for the season opener.

Coach Pat Shurmur announced Friday that linebacker/defensive end Olivier Vernon will miss Sunday's game with an ankle injury. Fellow linebacker Tae Davis also was listed as out with a hamstring injury. Neither player practiced this week.

Vernon, who had 6 sacks in 10 games last season, was hurt in a practice before the preseason finale against the New England Patriots. He has not practiced since the injury.

Either rookie Lorenzo Carter or veteran Connor Barwin probably will replace Vernon in the new 3-4 defensive scheme that will be tested by one of the top running attacks in the league.

The Giants have played the run well in the preseason. Vernon has been a big part of that along with the line of Snacks Harrison, Dalvin Tomlinson and rookie B.J. Hill.

A third-round draft pick out of Georgia, Carter's stock has been shooting up since the start of training camp. He is fast and physical. Barwin, who was signed before the start of camp, has more experience and 55 career sacks entering his 10th season.

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